We are going to see lower temperatures across the province in January 2016.  We will have the usual extreme cold weather alerts, inordinate amounts of snow, freezing rain and of course icy sidewalks.

The elements can be harsh and dangerous whether you are a pedestrian or motorist. In Windsor and Sarnia, our winters are harsh and often unbearable and can in many cases have consequences for both the inside of the home’s plumbing as well as the outside; contacting Plumber Wave can help eliminate many of the issues that may arise in terms to damages and potential accidents. Winter weather is particularly dangerous for pedestrians, with exposure to wind-chill and risk of hypothermia, frostbite and personal injuries such as slip and fall accidents. The Canadian Red Cross recommends always keep your head covered and wearing fabrics that are insulated, like wool. Always keep exposed areas covered including your face, ears and fingers.

It is important to always wear a hat and keep your head covered because half your body heat can escape through an uncovered head. Mittens or Gloves? Believe it or not, mittens are recommended as more warmth is created when our fingers are kept together. Slip and fall accidents are also prevalent in the winter months due to compacted snow, freezing rain, build ups of ice and slush. Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries ranging from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries.

Here are some tips in order to prevent slip and fall accidents:

1. Keep a supply of salt in your garage (or near your front door): Make sure you can easily access salt to salt your walkway,driveway, and sidewalk in front of your house to make it safe for yourself, your family and any potential visitors;
2. Make sure your driveway and walkway are well lit: If you do not have outdoor light fixtures, you may want to consider installing them so you have a clear view of your walkway and driveway.
3. Invest in proper footwear: We recommend that proper footwear be worn at all times- buy winter boots with non-skid soles (and buy lined boots to keep your feet warm);
4. See and Be Seen: The snow can cast a bright reflection- make sure you can see your surroundings when you are walking and keep a pair of sunglasses with you to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare. Wear something bright or reflective so that drivers can see you.
5. Listen: You may be wearing a hood, or have a hat on, but even with your ears covered, you should still be aware of approaching vehicles or people. Always be aware of your surroundings, so you do not have to make any sudden moves which could cause you to fall;
6. Use handrails where available: When you reach a set of stairs, always use the handrail where one is available to help you with your balance and pace yourself. Do not rush up and down stairwells as they are dangerous and an accumulation of precipitation on a set of stairs can lead to a serious injury;
7. Beware of Ice: After rain, or where snow has melted, be wary of what looks like wet pavement as it could actually be what is known as black ice, which is dangerous to walk on;
8. Enter slowly: Take extra caution when you enter your destination, be it your workplace, a shopping centre or school as the floor may be wet due to an accumulation of melted snow and ice;
9. Avoid shortcuts: Only take well-lit, well-travelled routes and avoid areas that may not have been salted and may be dark;

10. Practice “conscious walking”: Be conscious of where you will place your feet and anticipate your next steps, look up so that you are aware of the surface ahead and scan your surroundings to ensure you are not in the way of oncoming vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

If you have been injured as the result of a slip and fall accident, it is important that you contact the experienced Windsor personal injury lawyers at Paciocco & Mellow at (519) 915-SORE (7673). We can provide you with a free, no obligation initial consultation.

We understand that you may feel overwhelmed during the legal process and we strive to provide the best service possible and to help our clients in any way that we can, be it a referral to a specialist, rehabilitation provider, help securing a litigation loan or providing reassurance.

The law firm of Paciocco & Mellow aims to help provide you with Peace of Mind at a Difficult Time.